Portugal flags 10GW offshore wind ambitions

Nation still has aspirations of holding its inaugural offshore wind tender this year, but the clock is ticking

Portuguese Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho.
Portuguese Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho.Photo: Government of Portugal

The Portuguese government said the nation has ambitions to build 10GW of offshore wind power capacity following last week's approval of four maritime zones intended to host “clusters” of development spanning a total 2,000 square kilometres.

Successive Portuguese governments have worked toward achieving a targeted 2GW of installed floating offshore wind by the end of the decade.

However, the current administration, led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro ordered a review of the proposed format for the country’s first offshore wind tender, which is supposed to take place this year.

Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho reaffirmed Portuguese plans to put 2GW online by 2030, but stressed that this was not the limit of the country’s ambitions.

"Later, as the licensing process becomes more mature, we can advance steadily towards 10GW. We are taking decisive steps in this direction,” Carvalho stated.

Portuguese Secretary of State for the Seas Lídia Bulcão said that the country’s strategic analysis for the sector will aim to facilitate the development of “clusters” of offshore renewable energy in Portugal.

The government said it aims to develop industry and attract investment, adding it was important to "create scale, synergies and predictability in the medium term", Reuters reported.

In an interview with Portuguese business daily at the end of 2024, Giles Dickson, CEO of industry body WindEurope, said the country's plans to reach 10GW of offshore wind capacity are achievable but urged Lisbon to move more quickly in putting its regulatory framework into place and speeding up permitting procedures.

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Published 20 January 2025, 10:54Updated 20 January 2025, 11:23
PortugalEDP RenewablesOcean Winds